-Alex Ovechkin, talking about his stick-tossing incident that led to Matt Duchene’s penalty shot at the 2011 NHL All-Star GamePhoto of the Week

Stat Of The Week

On Sunday, Avalanche center Matt Duchene was awarded the first penalty shot in All-Star Game history after Alex Ovechkin threw his stick in the path of the second-year pro during a breakaway. Duchene’s attempt was stopped by Henrik Lundqvist. Duchene (20 years, 14 days) also became the youngest Avalanche player to participate in an NHL All-Star Game and the second youngest in franchise history behind Owen Nolan (19 years, 340 days in 1992).

Avalanche All-Access

This week on Avalanche All Access, we’re hanging out with Adam Foote and Matt Duchene at the Denver Country Club Ice Rink, as they participate in practices with the club’s pee wee and midget teams. Host Kyle Keefe interviews team captain Adam Foote, who talks about his playing days as a kid and fulfilling his dream of playing in the NHL. Also, co-host Julie Browman chats with All-Star Matt Duchene, who shares his stories of coaching at hockey camps during his youth. Plus, Matt Hunwick and Kevin Porter talk about their college days playing together at the University of Michigan, and Mike Haynes talks with head coach Joe Sacco.

I. THE STORYLINEFollowing the postponement of Tuesday’s contest in St. Louis, the Avalanche will play its first two games since the NHL All-Star Break at Pepsi Center before beginning a four-game road trip – the club’s longest stint away from Denver since early December.

II. WHAT’S ON TAPOn Thursday, the Avalanche and Minnesota Wild will meet up at Pepsi Center, marking the fourth meeting between the teams this season. The clubs split their first two meetings in Denver, while the Avalanche earned a 4-1 victory in St. Paul during their most recent matchup on Jan. 14.

The calendar has already turned to February, but Saturday’s afternoon tilt between the Avs and Anaheim Ducks will be the first time the clubs have met in 2010-11. The Ducks won the season series a year ago by earning three victories in four games, with the Avalanche’s lone win coming at Honda Center on March 3.

Colorado ends the week with a road game against the Phoenix Coyotes, which will be the club’s first road game since Jan. 14 following the cancellation of Tuesday’s contest. Phoenix has beaten Colorado in both of their meetings this season, taking a 2-0 decision on Jan. 6 followed by a 5-2 victory on Jan. 26 (with both games taking place at Pepsi Center).

III. NEWS OF THE WEEKMonday’s game against the Coyotes will begin a four-game road swing for the Avalanche, the club’s longest road stretch since a five-game swing from Dec. 3-11. After leaving Arizona, the Avs will also face Minnesota, Columbus and Nashville before returning home.

Colorado has just one more road trip of similar length remaining on its schedule – a March 12-19 journey that includes games against Nashville, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.

After hosting 10 games at Pepsi Center in January (during a month that featured an abbreviated schedule due to the NHL’s All-Star Break, no less), Colorado has just five home contests during the entire month of February and 13 for the remainder of the regular season.

VI. ODDS AND ENDSThe next KeyBank Guys Night Out will take place on Thursday when the Avs host the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. With this deal, you’ll receive two tickets, two beers and two Guys Night Out t-shirts for $59.